Each year, prospective university students apply for NSFAS funding in hopes that they will claim the opportunity to have their studies fully funded. However, for some, this hope is not immediately realised as many students get rejected based on a number of reasons.
Reasons can vary from academic eligibility, regional eligibility, and proof of financial need. For returning students, funding may be revoked if they did not maintain a passing average, but for first-time students, a common reason for application rejection could be that the student's gross family income is above R350 000.
Although there are many students whose family income falls above R350 000, yet still cannot afford university fees, NSFAS has very tight rules about the matter, which can result in a student's rejection.
However, this should not deter students from wanting to appeal their rejection, as providing a selection of financial documents requested during the appeal process can result in a student's application being accepted.
Those students who wish to make such an appeal can follow these steps:
- Visit the NSFAS website by clicking here.
- Download the Appeal Form.
- Complete the form and send it to ApplicationReview [at] NSFAS.org.za (ApplicationReview[at]NSFAS[dot]org[dot]za), along with the necessary supporting documents
It is important to note that NSFAS applicants who want to appeal will also need to complete and download a relevant propensity letter.
Here are the propensity letters available for download:
- Failure to meet academic eligibility (PDF)
- Appealing N+1 (PDF)
- N+2 students with disability (PDF)
- Registered for 50% or less (final year course credits) to complete (PDF)
Once you have appealed your application, you may track the progress of the appeal on your myNSFAS account.
Alternatively, for those who have logged onto their myNSFAS portal to find a rejection, they may find the appeal button at the bottom of the page, through which they will be able to submit their appeal.
The Appeal Form should be returned before the closing date, which is stated on the form in Section A.
